3 For, although young, and ripe for sexual intercourse, he nullified by reasoning the stimulus of his emotions. (WEB) 4 It isn’t merely the stimulus of sensual indulgence, but that of every desire, that reasoning is able to master. (WEB) 5 For instance, the law says, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (WEB)
4 Maccabees 2:3–5
Semantically similar passages
4 Maccabees 3:1–3
1 The argument is exceedingly ridiculous, for reasoning doesn’t appear to rule over its own affections, but over those of the body, (WEB) 2 in such a way as that any one of you may not be able to root out desire, but reasoning will enable you to avoid being enslaved to… (WEB) 3 … (WEB)
Mandates 29:2–4
2 For should this desire enter into thine heart, thou wilt go wrong, and should any other as evil as this, thou commitest sin. For this desire in a servant of God is a great sin; and if any man doeth this evil deed, he worketh out death for himself. (HER) 3 Look to it t… (HER)
4 Maccabees 1:33–35
33 Otherwise, how is it that when urged on to forbidden meats, we reject the gratification which would come from them? Isn’t it because reasoning is able to command the appetites? I believe so. (WEB) 34 Hence it is, then, that when craving seafood, birds, four-footed anim… (WEB)
Sirach 18:29–31
29 They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves, and poured out apt proverbs. (WEB) 30 Don’t go after your lusts. Restrain your appetites. (WEB) 31 If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire, she will make you the laughing stock of your enemie… (WEB)
Testament of Reuben 2:19–21
19 And the women lusting in their minds after their forms, gave birth to giants, for the Watchers appeared to them as reaching even unto heaven. (T12) 20 Beware, therefore, of fornication; and if you wish to be pure in mind, guard your senses from every woman. (T12) 21 And command… (T12)
4 Maccabees 7:17–19
17 But perhaps some might say, “It is not all who conquer emotions, as not all possess wise reasoning.” (WEB) 18 But those who have meditated upon religion with their whole heart, these alone can master the emotions of the flesh: (WEB) 19 they who believe that to God they don’t die… (WEB)
Testament of Reuben 2:11–13
11 Therefore the God of your fathers delivered him from every evil and hidden death. (T12) 12 For if fornication overcomes not your mind, neither can Beliar overcome you. (T12) 13 For evil are women, my children; and since they have no power or strength over man, they use wiles by… (T12)
4 Maccabees 2:8–10
8 Therefore, a man who regulates his course by the law, even if he is a lover of money, immediately puts pressure on his own disposition by lending to the needy without interest, and cancelling the debt on the seventh year. (WEB) 9 If a man is greedy, he is ruled by the… (WEB)
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